Face mask ?

[BBohan]

My son has a Riddell revo helmet and wants a Schutt facemask. I believe the rule states that you can't modify the helmet to inhibit performance. Is adding clips for the new facemask ok. It doesn't change the performance of the helmet. I know college and NFL do it all the time.

[HLin NC]

Clips? I assume you mean the mounting hardware?

Which rule set are we talking- local, Pop Warner, NFHS, NCAA? Federation and youth football's rules emphasize safety. The NFL emphasizes entertainment. NCAA falls in between.

NFHS states the following-

ART. 1 . . . Mandatory equipment. Each player shall participate while wearing the following pieces of properly fitted equipment, which shall be professionally manufactured and not altered to decrease protection:

a. Helmet and Facemask:

1. A helmet and face mask which met the NOCSAE test standard at the time of manufacture. The face mask shall have a surface covered with resilient material designed to prevent chipping, burrs or abrasiveness and be properly secured to the helmet as designed by the manufacturer.

Now 99.9% of the officials on the planet are never going to know nor care that the Schutt mask is on a Riddell helmet. If it appears to be secured properly and meets NCOSAE specs we don't have a clue otherwise.

However, if some sort of catastrophic injury were to occur and the helmet manufacturer's investigators examined the helmet and determined that the Schutt mask was not "properly secured....as designed...." you might jeopardize some legal rights you may have.

You might want to consult with the manufacturer if you are concerned. I doubt any other rule sets make any more specific rulings than the Federation does. Also if the helmet is owned by the league and has to be returned, they might prefer you not make modifications to it.

[BBohan]

Yes I ment the mounting hardware.This is for Local HS football in Pa. As he is a senior this year we will be purchasing his helmet at the end of the season anyway. We follow NFHS for helmet requirments. The rule is vague on this point, I guess it depends on the argument.

[asdf]

Originally Posted by BBohan

The rule is vague on this point, I guess it depends on the argument.

Actually, as pointed out by HLC, (see underlined part) the rule is very clear.


1. A helmet and face mask which met the NOCSAE test standard at the time of manufacture. The face mask shall have a surface covered with resilient material designed to prevent chipping, burrs or abrasiveness and be properly secured to the helmet as designed by the manufacturer.

The helmets are tested as manufactured. There's no way for you to accurately state that using different mounting hardware doesn't change the performance of the helmet.

You might be playing a version of roulette with 99 bullets in a 100 chamber.

I wouldn't so that with any kid, much less my own.

[BBohan]

That's why I asked the question. Just because he wants it doesn't mean he is going to get it. I just wanted to be sure. Thanks for the help.